We are thrilled to announce that the Lymphedema Treatment Act has received a score from the Congressional Budget Office. A score is necessary for the bill to be brought to a vote in the full House and in the Senate, so this is another big step forward!
Also, we just gained another Senate cosponsor (Majority Leader Schumer), bringing our total to 74! We’ve recently held virtual meetings with, or soon will be meeting with, many of the non-cosponsoring Senate offices listed below.
If you are a constituent in one of these states, please call their office this week using the information below. If you are not a constituent, can you pass this request on to someone who is?
Remember that you can also call after hours and leave a voicemail message. Offices log how many calls they get on each topic, so every call counts!
Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
CALL SCRIPT: I’m a constituent calling about the Lymphedema Treatment Act, bill number S.1315, which already has 74 Senate cosponsors. I hope that Senator [name] will also cosponsor this important bill. [Briefly add why this issue is important to you.] Will you please pass on my message to your Health Legislative Aide?
AL-Senate: Richard Shelby, 202-224-5744
AL-Senate: Tommy Tuberville, 202-224-4124
ID-Senate: Jim Risch, 202-224-2752
ID-Senate: Mike Crapo, 202-224-6142
IN-Senate: Mike Braun, 202-224-4814
KY-Senate: Rand Paul, 202-224-4343
KY-Senate: Mitch McConnell, 202-224-2541
LA-Senate: John Kennedy, 202-224-4623
NC-Senate: Richard Burr, 202-224-3154
NE-Senate: Ben Sasse, 202-224-4224
OH-Senate: Rob Portman, 202-224-3353
OR-Senate: Ron Wyden, 202-224-5244
PA-Senate: Pat Toomey, 202-224-4254
SD-Senate: John Thune, 202-224-2321
TN-Senate: Marsha Blackburn, 202-224-3344
TN-Senate: Bill Hagerty, 202-224-4944
TX-Senate: Ted Cruz, 202-224-5922
TX-Senate: John Cornyn, 202-224-2934
UT-Senate: Mike Lee, 202-224-5444
UT-Senate: Mitt Romney, 202-224-5251
VA-Senate: Tim Kaine, 202-224-4024
WI-Senate: Ron Johnson, 202-224-5323
WV-Senate: Joe Manchin, 202-224-3954
WY-Senate: Cynthia Lummis, 202-224-3424
WY-Senate: John Barrasso, 202-224-6441
TIPS ON PERSONALIZING YOUR MESSAGE:
The most effective things you can say are why your doctor prescribed compression garments are essential to your health and quality of life. The focus should be on their medical necessity, and how they enable you to manage your lymphedema, prevent complications like infections, keep you able to work, take care of your family, etc. – whatever is most applicable for you.
The most important thing to avoid saying is that they are expensive. Cost, or a person’s ability to afford to pay out of pocket, is not a reason why something should be covered by insurance, only medical necessity is. Keep the focus on compression garments being essential for the treatment and management of lymphedema, just as insulin is for a diabetic.
